Combatants: Americans and French against the British
The Battle of Yorktown in 1781 was the last major battle of the American Revolution. American forces led by General George Washington combined with French forces led by General Comte de Rochambeau to fight the British Army commanded by General Lord Cornwallis.
The campaign plan first started in 1780 when General Comte de Rochambeau and 5,500 French soldiers landed in Rhode Island to help the Americans attack British-occupied New York City. The two armies met North of New York City in 1781. Rochambeau convinced Washington that an attack on New York City would be very difficult and may not succeed. He suggested it would be it would be easier for the French Fleet to assist in an attack further south. They agreed to attack General Lord Cornwallis and his army of 9,000 men at Yorktown, Virginia.
In early September, the French fleet led by Comte de Grasse defeated a British Fleet sent to relieve Cornwallis. This blocked any escape by sea for Cornwallis. Washington also French general Marquis de Lafayette to contain Cornwallis in Yorktown until he and Rochambeau arrived with their troops. By late September the American and French forces had Cornwallis surrounded and began an artillery bombardment. Seriously outnumbered, with no way to escape, Cornwallis surrendered on October 19, 1781. General Washington and his French allies had captured 8,000 British troops.
This was a decisive victory for the American and French forces. The surrender of General Cornwallis and his army was the second major surrender of the war. Previously General Burgoyne had surrendered at the Battle of Saratoga. This surrender led the British to negotiate an end to the war, and the signing of the Treaty of Paris.Yorktown Information
Timeline 1781-after six years of war, the American Army was struggling. The British occupied New York City. 1781-General George Washington and the French commander, Comte de Rochambeau, met in May 1781 to plan their strategy. Washington wanted to attack the British in New York City. Fearful of attacking such a well fortified position Washington recommended marching south to battle Cornwallis in Virginia. 1781-Washington finally acquiesced to the French position and on August 22, the two armies began their march from White Plains, New York to Virginia arriving in early September. 1781-In the period from September 5 - 9, the French surprised the British fleet at the mouth of the Chesapeake forcing the British navy to retreat to New York, leaving General Cornwallis stranded. 1781-The combined American and French forces attacked and overwhelmed Cornwallis's fortified position on the night of October 14. 1781-The British commander was left with no choice but to surrender, which he did on October 19. 1781-News of the surrender reached England on November 25 sending shock waves through the British government. Although King George III wanted to continue the battle, the surrender forced Prime Minister Lord North to resign in March 1782. This forced the signing of the treaty of Paris of September 1783 granting independence to the American colonies.
Battle: YORKTOWN
War: American Revolutionary War
Date: 28th September to 19th October 1781
Place: Virginia, United States of America
Combatants: Americans and French against the British
The Battle of Yorktown in 1781 was the last major battle of the American Revolution. American forces led by General George Washington combined with French forces led by General Comte de Rochambeau to fight the British Army commanded by General Lord Cornwallis.
The campaign plan first started in 1780 when General Comte de Rochambeau and 5,500 French soldiers landed in Rhode Island to help the Americans attack British-occupied New York City. The two armies met North of New York City in 1781. Rochambeau convinced Washington that an attack on New York City would be very difficult and may not succeed. He suggested it would be it would be easier for the French Fleet to assist in an attack further south. They agreed to attack General Lord Cornwallis and his army of 9,000 men at Yorktown, Virginia.
In early September, the French fleet led by Comte de Grasse defeated a British Fleet sent to relieve Cornwallis. This blocked any escape by sea for Cornwallis. Washington also French general Marquis de Lafayette to contain Cornwallis in Yorktown until he and Rochambeau arrived with their troops. By late September the American and French forces had Cornwallis surrounded and began an artillery bombardment. Seriously outnumbered, with no way to escape, Cornwallis surrendered on October 19, 1781. General Washington and his French allies had captured 8,000 British troops.
This was a decisive victory for the American and French forces. The surrender of General Cornwallis and his army was the second major surrender of the war. Previously General Burgoyne had surrendered at the Battle of Saratoga. This surrender led the British to negotiate an end to the war, and the signing of the Treaty of Paris.Yorktown Information
Timeline
1781-after six years of war, the American Army was struggling. The British occupied New York City.
1781-General George Washington and the French commander, Comte de Rochambeau, met in May 1781 to plan their strategy. Washington wanted to attack the British in New York City. Fearful of attacking such a well fortified position Washington recommended marching south to battle Cornwallis in Virginia.
1781-Washington finally acquiesced to the French position and on August 22, the two armies began their march from White Plains, New York to Virginia arriving in early September.
1781-In the period from September 5 - 9, the French surprised the British fleet at the mouth of the Chesapeake forcing the British navy to retreat to New York, leaving General Cornwallis stranded.
1781-The combined American and French forces attacked and overwhelmed Cornwallis's fortified position on the night of October 14.
1781-The British commander was left with no choice but to surrender, which he did on October 19.
1781-News of the surrender reached England on November 25 sending shock waves through the British government. Although King George III wanted to continue the battle, the surrender forced Prime Minister Lord North to resign in March 1782. This forced the signing of the treaty of Paris of September 1783 granting independence to the American colonies.